Fort Worth, Texas – On August 12, 2013 Camp Fire Child Development Center learned that they were the newest program to be awarded accreditation by the Association for Early Learning Leaders’ National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Program (NAC).

As an Accredited center, Camp Fire Child Development Center is recognized as an early care and education program exemplifying excellence in the care of young children.

Programs recognized by NAC must demonstrate and document quality performance using research-based criteria. The system recognizes the diversity of programs and the uniqueness of each through the self-study and award process.

Accredited programs meet the Commission’s high quality standards in the following ways:

  • Learning environments are conducive to children’s individual growth and development.
  • Professional development opportunities are available for staff working with young children.
  • Programming exceeds minimum state and local licensing requirements.
  • Health and safety of children are monitored on a daily basis.
  • Partnerships with families are essential to planning children’s experiences in the program.

“This has been an intense, yet gratifying process for all the teachers and staff at the Camp Fire Child Development Center. It was an effort achieved through the work and collaboration of many and really challenged all of us to think a little differently about our approach to early childhood education, but we are extremely excited about the results. Not only the accreditation, but also the way it allowed us all to come together and work toward a common goal to support the children and families we care so much about, “said center director Kathy Wymer of the accreditation process.

Camp Fire Child Development Center is one of only 12 centers in Fort Worth to carry this distinction and only 121 child care providers are recognized in the state of Texas.* A long-time advocate for children and youth, Camp Fire First Texas opened the Child Development Center in 1993 as a lab/learning school and has continued to develop and grow by implementing research based practices.

Using special observation rooms, Camp Fire Child Development Center has opened its doors to North Texas early childhood educators and students to observe and learn from the staff who put research into practice.

This year, Camp Fire Child Development Center will once again be leading the industry as it becomes a demonstration school guided by the Excel for Success Initiative, a comprehensive, early childhood professional learning system.

“Studies of early learning programs demonstrate that quality early childhood experiences can improve young children’s academic and social skills trajectories upon school entry that can last throughout a lifetime. Excel for Success is designed to offer a rigorous data-driven approach to professional development that develops a collaborative community of learners comprised of early childhood practitioners and administrators as well as families with young children, explained Lyn Lucas, vice president of Work/Family Division of Camp Fire First Texas. “One of the critical components is to have a model school where other can see this put into practice and our center is designed for this. We are looking forward to serving as a demonstration site for our community and possibly beyond.”

###

Camp Fire
Camp Fire is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit youth development organizations, serving youth, teens and families in communities across the United States. Camp Fire programs are research-based, delivered where youth and families are via out-of-school time, environmental and camp, and teen service and leadership programs. Because youth want to shape the world, Camp Fire’s focus is giving youth and teens the opportunity to find their sparks, lift their voice and discover who they are. Camp Fire programs are proven to develop young peoples’ skills now so they can reach their full potential.
About The National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Program

The National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Program is sponsored by the Association for Early Learning leaders, a national leader among associations serving child care owners, directors and administrators. The organization’s goal is to strengthen and enhance the skills and knowledge of leaders in the fields of early child care and education by providing membership service and benefits. For more information, please visit www.earlylearningleaders.org.

*Data extracted from the NACCP website’s public listing of accredited programs.